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On January 7, 1997 the first domestic violence victim came through the doors of the SAFE Transitional Housing facility to seek shelter from an abusive situation. She had a broken arm because she had been beaten with a 2x4 wooden board. She fled the situation with her two sons to seek a safe place to reside. This was the beginning of a program to provide the emergency needs of food, shelter and clothing but also to go a step further to provide education, life skills, child care, social activities and case management for a period of up to two years.
Ten years later the SAFE Transitional Housing facility has provided services to over 800 women and 860 children by providing approximately 110,000 shelter nights and more than 250,000 meals. Although SAFE is licensed by the Family Protection Services Board to serve McDowell, Wyoming and Mercer counties, there have been residents from as far away as Alaska along with other states including Texas, Arizona, and Indiana to name a few. These women and children find their way to the isolated area of McDowell County through the listing in the National Registry of Domestic Violence Programs and referrals from other individuals or agencies.
The former Hemphill School was donated to SAFE by the McDowell County Board of Education. Then over two million dollars was raised in grants and forgivable loans to transform this school building into a living facility containing 31 living units, office space, two licensed child care centers, a learning center, full-size gym, thrift store, space for meetings and counseling sessions. The SAFE Transitional Housing facility was noted as the first for domestic violence victims in the State of West Virginia and gained national recognition as a finalist for the Maxwell award by the Fannie Mae Foundation. Visitors from all over the United States have visited the facility including HUD officials and are impressed by the operation and services offered by SAFE.
Executive Director Sharon Walden commented that the question she is asked most often is how did the community buy into having a homeless facility in their community. “I have had calls from people who stated they met tremendous opposition by the community when they began to work on a project. I am proud to tell about how individuals, churches, and community groups “adopted” each of the 31 living units by providing linens, towels, wash clothes, personal hygiene items and decorations. I will always remember the day of our grand opening ceremony in December 1996 when over 500 people attended. I think the commitment for this project verifies the culture of giving as a part of southern West Virginia .”
During the last six months of 2006 a record number of residents have lived in the SAFE Transitional Housing facility. During the Christmas holidays, there were 32 women and 33 children living in the facility which set an all time record. Because of community generosity, all of the women and children had Christmas gifts during the holidays.
In an anonymous letter recently received at the SAFE Transitional Housing facility, a former resident wrote: “I'm a former resident of yours, more times than once! I just wanted to thank your terrific staff for being a safe haven for me and my children. I'm practicing a new life now. Thanks to many angels who helped me along the way – you being some of them.” Dianne Hale, Administrative Assistant, commented after receiving this letter, “To know that lives are being changed through our program makes our hard work worth the effort.”
As we mark the end of the first decade of service through the SAFE Transitional Housing facility, we want to thank the past supporters of our program which include federal, state, foundation, agencies, religious groups and individuals. The challenges are always great to generate funds to keep a 24/7 operation going. SAFE seeks continued funding from current supporters and new funds to keep the program providing services. If you would like to make a tax deductible contribution, you can send to SAFE, PO Box 669 , Welch , WV 24801 . If you have questions about our services, please call 304/436-6181.
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